ROBERT TYCHKOWSKI, QMI Agency

The hardest place and the hardest game for the Edmonton Oilers to win is right here, right now.

This one.

The first home game after a road trip has proven to be nothing short of Guaranteed Loss Night for Edmonton.

They don’t USUALLY lose their first game back, they ALWAYS lose their first game back.

It’s 11 road trips and counting (dating back to the start of last season) that the Oilers flew back to Edmonton just in time to lose the first game of their home stand.

Twice so far this season, nine times last season.

It didn’t matter if they were two-gamers or six gamers, if they’re on the road for anything longer than one game, it means trouble when they get back.

“There’s a lot of things that go into coming back from the road,” said Sam Gagner. “It seems a little hectic at home sometimes and maybe you don’t simplify your game at home the way you do on the road, but we can’t fall into that trap."